Mel, this is a bromeliad. Because of the relatively long distance between the tip of the plant and base, one thing or the other gets out of focus. Your best bet is to try and get the tip in focus since that's the prettiest part of the plant and sacrifice the base. With the UZ2100 that's easier said than done. I've had the same quandry.
What might work is to take it slightly froma side view.
Aloha